Australia receives last of 3,580 Rheinmetall MAN medium and heavy tactical vehicles

 

One of the Australian Army's HX series truck. Photo c/o DoD.

The Australian subsidiary of German defense company Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) and the  Australian Department of Defence marked the completion of the LAND 121 Phase 3B/5B program on 20 February 2025.

A Final Acceptance Ceremony was held at RMMV’s Military Vehicles Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Queensland marking the completion of the contract, as the company delivered 3,580 vehicles and 3,165 modules and protected cabs over a 10-year procurement program for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Trucks delivered are different variants of RMMV’s HX series of medium and heavy tactical trucks, which were built in Vienna, Austria, while final assembly was made at the Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s facility in Queensland, with support provided by interstate teams from Victoria.

The ADF originall ordered 2,536 trucks under LAND 121 Phae 3B in 2014, with the first truck HX series truck arriving in 2016 and entering service with the Australian Army on February 2017. 

Another batch of 1,044 medium and heavy trucks were ordered in 2018 under the LAND 121 Phase 5B. 

Australian variants of the HX trucks were composed of the HX-40M 4x4 tactical truck in tray, tray with carne, tipper; the HX-42M 6x6 medium recovery and HX-45M 10x10 heavy recovery variants;  the HX-77 8x8 heavy trucks with integrated load handing system, and the HX-81tank transporter tractor.

The completion of the procurement program will allow RMMV to shift to providing maintenance and sustainment support for the HX truck fleet, in partnership with their local and international partners and suppliers.

 RMMV’s HX series of medium and heavy tactical vehicles have been successfully used by various militaries including Germany and Australia, with other Asia-Pacific regional users including Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

[1] Rheinmetall

[2] Australian National Audit Office

Philippines to acquire more military hardware including Brahmos missiles, submarines

 

Hanwha Ocean offered the KSS-IIIPN submarine to the Philippine Navy. Photo c/o Hanwha Ocean.

The Philippines is expected to continue its ongoing military modernization in the next decade, and will be adding more military hardware to increase its deterrence and combat capabilities.

During a speech to local business leaders on 12 February 2025, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the military modernization is now in its 3rd phase and has set aside US$35 billion over the next 10 years.

Gen. Brawner mentioned that there are plans to acquire more Brahmos anti-ship missile systems from India, as well as pursue the long-stalled plan to acquire submarines for the Philippine Navy (PN).

According to Gen. Brawner, submarines are very important capability especially for an archipelagic country like the Philippines.

In an enquiry with Australian-based Filipino defense analyst Max Montero, the AFP is currently implementing its so-called “Re-Horizon 3” phase which includes plans to purchase land-based anti-ship and surface-to-surface missile systems for both the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps, at least a couple of submarines plus additional frigates and corvettes and expanding bases for the Philippine Navy, and 40 new fighters and additional surface-to-air missile systems for the Philippine Air Force.

Mr. Montero stressed that these efforts are greatly due to China’s continuous harassment and breaching of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, and the reported efforts by China to undermine the Philippines’ security and overall stability.

France, South Korea, Spain and other European countries are believed to have offered to sell new submarines to the Philippine Navy, which includes developing its submarine doctrine and basing. 

Previously both Gen. Brawner and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. mentioned that the Philippines plans to acquire Mid-Range Capability missile systems, with the American Typhon missile system believed to in their sights.

The Typhon Mid-Range Capability can launch both the SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missile which can range deep into the Chinese mainland.

[1] The Asahi Shimbun

[2] MaxDefense Philippines

[3] South China Morning Post

Malaysia finalizing acquisition of ex-Kuwaiti F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters

 

A F/A-18C Hornet of the Kuwait Air Force. Photo c/o Defence Security Asia.

The Malaysian Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said during an event that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is expecting the finalization of a deal with Kuwait within the year for the acquisition of 30 used F/A-18C/D Hornet twin-engine fighters.

Min. Zahari said that the discussions with Kuwait is in the final stages after the Kuwait Air Force agreement to transfer the aircraft.

The United States Government is also involved in providing an approval for the transfer, being the original source of the Hornet fighters. The F/A-18C/D Hornet was built by American aircraft giant Boeing, and were exported to Kuwait starting in 1992.

Malaysia is pushing the acquisition of the Hornet fighters as part of efforts to increase the number of air combat assets of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and further strengthen the country’s defense capabilities.

The RMAF already operates the F/A-18D Hornet, with 8 aircraft delivered in 1997. Previous plans to increase the number of Hornet fighters failed due to several issues including funding and preference for the Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKM Flanker fighter.

Malaysia has been looking for ways to improve its air combat capability after the retirement of its fleet of Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29N/NUB fighters, and delays in procuring its new Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).

The acquisition of ex-Kuwaiti F/A-18s is meant to provide the RMAF the needed capability and fleet number in the short and medium term, as It looks for funding its planned acquisition of next generation fighters.

[1] Defence Security Asia

[2] Malay Mail

Indonesia eyes acquiring aircraft carrier to support non-combat operations

PT PAL presenting their proposed helicopter landing dock design in 2024. Photo c/o PT PAL.

The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) has started assessment on the potential need for an aircraft carrier to provide enhanced support for non-combat military operations.

In a press conference held in Jakarta on 06 February 2025, the Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Muhammad Ali, highlighted the need for several essential military equipment for acquisition to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense.

This includes an aircraft carrier for use on non-war military operations, as well as additional frigates from Italy, and fast missile boats from Turkiye.

He also highlighted the importance of domestically-produced frigates to solidify the Indonesian Navy's overall capabilities including self-sufficiency.

There have been previous studies made by the Indonesian Navy on potentially acquiring aircraft carrier-like ships, capable of carrying helicopters for both combat and non-combat operations.

There have been unverified information circulating in late 2024 of the Indonesian Navy's interest to acquire the former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi as part of greater deal with Italy, although nothing has been confirmed about this as of this writing.

Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia also made previous display of proposals for a small helicopter carrier and helicopter landing dock assault ships for possible consideration of the Indonesian Navy and for potential export to other countries.

The Indonesian Navy is considered to be the most powerful in Southeast Asia, although it was said to still lack the necessary size and capability to defend its vast territory and exclusive economic zones, and is also plagued by ageing naval assets. 

As part of its latest iteration of the Minimum Essential Force (MEF) plan, the Indonesian Navy plans to have at least four helicopter landing docks in its fleet.

[1] Antara News
[2] The Indonesia

Australia receives first Arufara-class offshore patrol vessel

 

NUSHIP Arufara (OPV-203). Photo c/o APDR.

On 30 January 2025, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has confirmed that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has accepted the first of the new Arufara-class offshore patrol vessel, the NUSHIP Arufara (OPV-203).

The ship was launched in 2021 and was delivered by its shipbuilder, Luerssen Australia  at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. 

The NUSHIP Arufara sailed to its homeport at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia where it will undergo a series of tests by the Royal Australian Navy prior to commissioning to service later this year.

The ship is the first of a new class of patrol vessels being delivered as part of the RAN’s SEA 1180 project, which aims to deliver six Arufara-class ships.

The Arufara-class was derived from the Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessels delivered to the Royal Brunei Navy, with modifications in the sub-systems including sensors and weapon suit.

One more ship of the class is being built in Osborne Naval Shipyard, while the other four ships are being built in Henderson in Western Australia. 

Under Australia’s latest Defence White Paper, the Arufara-class offshore patrol vessels will be classified as part of its Navy Minor War Vessel fleet, which will focus on maritime and border security and defense, and engaging regional partners in the Southwest Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Originally the plan was to build 12 ships, but changes in the defense strategy reduced the number to just 6, and instead more of the smaller Evolved Cape-class patrol boats will be acquired.  Its planned main gun using a 40mm autocannon was also replaced by a smaller 25mm variant.

The Australian Government considers the delivery of NUSHIP Arufara as a milestone in its investment in local naval shipbuilding and sustainment, as well as building critical capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

[1] Australian Department of Defence

[2] Naval News

[3] Asia Pacific Defence Reporter